John Edwards trial begins

Former U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate John Edwards arrives at federal court in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, April 23, 2012. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will begin making their case to jurors on whether the former presidential candidate violated federal campaign finance laws. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John Edwards arrives outside federal court in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, April 23, 2012. for his trial on charges of violating federal campaign finance laws. Opening statements were to begin Monday. Edwards, 58, pleaded not guilty to six criminal counts related to nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy supporters. Much of the money was used to hide the then-married politician's pregnant mistress during his 2008 White House campaign. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

AP

Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John Edwards, right, arrives outside federal court with his daughter Cate, left, in Greensboro, N.C., for his trial on charges of violating federal campaign finance laws, Monday, April 23, 2012. Opening statements were to begin Monday. Edwards, 58, pleaded not guilty to six criminal counts related to nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy supporters. Much of the money was used to hide the then-married politician's pregnant mistress during his 2008 White House campaign. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

AP

Former U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate John Edwards and daughter Cate arrive at federal court in Greensboro, N.C., Monday, April 23, 2012. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will begin making their case to jurors on whether the former presidential candidate violated federal campaign finance laws. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John Edwards, center, arrives outside federal court with his daughter Cate, left, in Greensboro, N.C., for his trial on charges of violating federal campaign finance laws, Monday, April 23, 2012. Opening statements were to begin Monday. Edwards, 58, pleaded not guilty to six criminal counts related to nearly $1 million in secret payments from two wealthy supporters. Much of the money was used to hide the then-married politician's pregnant mistress during his 2008 White House campaign. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

AP

FILE - In an Oct. 27, 2011 file photo, former U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate John Edwards, left, speaks to the media with attorney Abbe Lowell, right, as he leaves the federal court in Greensboro, N.C. Prosecutors and defense lawyers in the John Edwards trial were poised Monday April 23, 2011 to begin making their case to jurors on whether the former presidential candidate violated federal campaign finance laws. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)